Instructor: Briscoe, Sonya

Email:briscoesy@lamarpa.edu

Phone: 409 - 984-6229

Office Location and Hours: This course is taught within correctional settings and no office is provided.

Additional Contact Information: Students may contact LSCPA through their education officers to set up phone conferences or in person meetings. Also, questions may also be resolved after class if time allows.

This is the study of: 1) research and theory in the psychology of learning, cognition and motivation; 2) factors that impact learning; and 3) application of learning strategies. Students use assessment instruments (learning inventories) to identify their strengths and weaknesses as learners. Develops skills and techniques necessary for success in college including memory development, note-taking, test preparation, study skills and time management. Assists the student in making adequate social and personal decisions needed to succeed. 

Textbook Title: On Course: Strategies for Success in College (9^th ed), Career, and Life. Cengage Publishing.

Authors: Skip Downing and Jonathan Brennan (2020)

Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Other materials needed for class include a notebook paper, pens, folder.

None

PSLO ALPHA: Reading Skills - Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material.

PSLO 1: Critical Thinking Skills - Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.

PSLO 2: Communication Skills - Demonstrates effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and/or visual communication.

PSLO 3: Empirical and Quantitative Skills - Applies the manipulation and/or analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.

PSLO 5: Social Responsibility Skills - Expresses intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities

LECTURE TOPICS

              Introduction, Orientation, Syllabus Review

              Getting on Course to Success                    

              Accepting Personal Responsibility

              Discovering Self-Motivation              

              Mastering Self-Management              

              Employing Interdependence

              Gaining Self-Awareness

              Adopting Lifelong Learning

              Developing Emotional Intelligence

              Staying on Course to Success

              Career Development

              Personal Responsibility 

Week 1: Aug 24-30

              Introduction, Orientation, Syllabus Review

              Reading: Ch1 Getting on Course to Success

Week 2: Aug 31-Sept 6

              Discussion Chapter 1

              In Class Review/Activities

              Reading: Ch2 Accepting Personal Responsibility

Week 3: Sept 7-13

              Discussion Chapter 2

              Reading: Ch3 Discovering Self-Motivation

              Due: Exam 1 (Ch1-2)

              Worksheet 1 Check-In

Week 4: Sep 14-20

              Discussion Chapter 3

              In Class Review/Activities 

              Reading: Ch4 Mastering Self-Management

              Worksheet 1 Check-In

Week 5: Sep 21-27

             Discussion Chapter 4

             In Class Review/Activities

             Reading: Ch5 Employing Interdependence

Week 6: Sep 28-Oct 4

              Discussion Chapter 5

              Due: Exam 2 (Ch3-5)

              Worksheet 2 Check-In

Week 7: Oct 5-11

              In Class Journal Entry Reviews

              Prep for Midterm - Begin Growth Scavenger Hunt Assignment

Week 8: Oct 12-18

              Continue Work on Midterm/Scavenger Hunt 

              Reading: Ch6 Gaining Self-Awareness

              Worksheet 2 Check-In

Week 9: Oct 19-25

              Discussion Chapter 6

              In Class Review/Activities

              Reading: Ch7 Adopting Lifelong Learning

Week 10: Oct 26-Nov 1

              Discussion Chapter 7

              In Class Review/Activities

              Reading: Ch8 Developing Emotional Intelligence

              Due: Exam 3 (Ch6-7)      

              Worksheet 2 Check-In           

Week 11: Nov 2 - 8

              Discussion Chapter 8

              In Class Review/Activities

              Reading: Ch9 Staying on Course to Success

              (Should be working on your final project and presentation)

Week 12: Nov 9-15

              Discussion Chapter 9

              In Class Review/Activities

              Due: Exam 4 (Ch8-9)

Week 13: Nov 16-22

             Career Development Week 

             Personal Responsibility Week

             Continued Work on Final Project Assignment

Week 14: Nov 23-29             

             Continued Work on Final Project Assignment

             Final Project - Begin In-Class Presentations

Week 15: Nov 30 - Dec 6

               Final Project – In Class Presentations

Final Presentation - Dec 1 / Dec 2, 2026

4 Exams - 40%

Attendance, Class Participation, Journaling, In-Class Assignments - 20%

Growth Worksheets – 20%

Personal Growth Leads to Success/ In-Class Presentation (Core Assignment) - 20%

If you have any questions and/or concerns, please make me aware of them.

If you need to speak to me in person, please see me after class or make an appointment for longer conversations. Such appointments will be immediately following class. If you need to schedule for something more detailed, please try to present two possible days to select from in case of scheduling conflicts).

Don’t wait until you have fallen far behind to seek help. I want you to succeed, I am here to assist you in your academic success.

Be aware that I will not discuss your grades with other students standing around. It invades your right to privacy. If you want to discuss your grades in more detail, reach out to the Education Director or Officers, or contact Correctional Education Dept at LSCPA. 

Research has shown a cause and effect relationship between attendance and college success. More than 4 unexcused absences will result in a grade of "F", regardless of the student's performance in class to that time. Excused absences include hospitalization of you or an immediate family member, participation in a (required and preapproved) college event, or a religious holy day. With the exception of hospitalizations (or absolute emergencies) prior notification and approval is required. Documentation of hospitalization is required. Reminder: LATE WORK IS UNACCEPTABLE.

• No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom.
• Respectful behavior: Be respectful of instructors, fellow students and the academic environment. Instructors have NO obligation to tolerate disruptive behaviors of any kind. This includes excessive/disruptive talking. Problematic behavior may result in you being asked to exit the classroom and/or dismissal from the course.

·      Sleeping in class: Please be aware that attendance requires not just your presence but your attention. If you sleep in class you will be asked to leave and counted absent for the day. NOTE: In accordance with the attendance policy, five (5) absences can result in administrative removal from the course.

Please be mindful of students with disabilities: Some may be visible and others may not. Most of us are extremely considerate of disabilities we recognize, but less aware and thus less sensitive to those we cannot see. Invisible disabilities may include such conditions as (ADHD, asthmas, allergies, chronic pain, hearing impairments, migraines, seizures, vision impairments, and many more). Something as simple as body sprays and fragrances may affect/trigger asthma or migraines. Lighting or excessive noise can become problems for those with hearing disorders or epilepsy. Let us all keep these things in mind, and BE CONSIDERATE OF THE NEEDS OF THOSE AROUND US.   

Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.

Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.

This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.

LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.

For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.